Cam Newton Goes Back To School

Already in rarefied air, complete with statue and all, Cam Newton is a modern day hero at Auburn. The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner who led the Tigers to the 2010 BCS championship, their first in 53 years, has come back to the school to work on earning his sociology degree.

“Happy to see my man Cam back at AU this semester working toward his degree. #wareagle,” Malzahn tweeted.

Selected by the Carolina Panthers with No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, Newton signed a $22 million contract and makes more in endorsements. He has declined interviews about his return to campus as of this time.

“He wants to focus on school and be a normal college student,” said Kirk Sampson, associate athletics director for communication.

Auburn erected a statue of Newton in the spring outside of Jordan-Hare Stadium to honor his lone season with the Tigers in which he threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for 20 more, tallying 4,327 yards of total offense.

Newton was named the NFL offensive rookie of the year following his debut campaign with Carolina. The Panthers finished 7-9 this season as Newton completed 280 of 485 passes for 3,869 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions along with 741 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.